A severe multi-vehicle collision on a highway in Mexico resulted in at least 21 fatalities, according to local authorities. The incident, involving three vehicles, occurred on Wednesday, May 14, on the roadway that connects Cuacnopalan and Oaxaca in Puebla state, central Mexico.
Samuel Aguilar Pala, a government official in Puebla, stated that 18 individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, while three others died from injuries after being taken to hospitals nearby. Several more individuals are receiving medical attention, though specific details regarding their conditions have not been disclosed.
La Jornada newspaper reported that the series of events started when a gas tanker truck attempted to pass a van. The truck, while in the opposing lane, collided with an oncoming bus and then hit a transport van head-on. The impact caused the truck to fall into a ravine next to the highway, where it caught fire.
Videos circulating on social media show dark smoke rising from the crash site and significant damage to the highway’s guardrail. These recordings, shared by a local journalist but not independently verified, highlight the collision’s severity.
This incident adds to a pattern of major highway accidents in Mexico. A similar tragic event occurred three months ago in Tabasco, southern Mexico, where many lost their lives in a bus crash.
The Cuacnopalan-Oaxaca highway, known for its challenging mountainous terrain, presents dangers due to its winding roads, steep gradients, and heavy commercial traffic. These factors create hazardous conditions, especially when drivers engage in risky behaviors like overtaking, which appears to have initiated this accident.
The transport van involved was operated by Smart Transports, which has committed to covering medical and funeral expenses. Investigations into such incidents typically explore various factors, including driver actions, vehicle maintenance, road conditions, and adherence to safety regulations.
The Mexican Federal Highway Administration has increased patrols along this route and enacted temporary speed limits while the investigation is underway. Local emergency services have set up a support center for victims’ families at a community center in Tehuacán, Puebla.
This incident coincides with efforts by Mexico’s transportation ministry to enhance safety standards on major highways nationwide. Recent years have seen government investments in infrastructure and stricter traffic regulation enforcement, though some critics believe these measures have been insufficient given the continued occurrence of significant accidents.
Road safety advocates cite several contributing factors to Mexico’s highway safety issues, including old vehicle fleets, inadequate driver training, and economic pressures that may lead commercial drivers to work long hours or take risks to meet tight schedules.
Residents near the crash site reported hearing the collision and seeing smoke from a distance.
Emergency services from multiple areas responded to the scene, with helicopters transporting the most critically injured survivors to specialized trauma centers in Puebla City and Mexico City.
